DVR Ratings Might Not Perform CPR on Dying Shows

Kevin McKidd in Journeyman by Trae Patton/NBC Photo
Will time-shifting viewers ride to the rescue of NBC's time-tripping
Journeyman? As
the first batch of live-plus-seven DVR ratings are digested, network Nielsen-crunchers are careful not to suggest that the observed "lifts" could bring a flatlining show back to life.
While
15 shows saw increases in the million-viewer-plus range,
Bionic Woman,
Journeyman and
Private Practice were the only freshman series to enjoy any measurable increase. Outside of those three, however, no boosts were noted "that would save a show or make a show look even stronger," Fox's scheduling chief tells the
Hollywood Reporter. NBC's own research chief echoes that cautious optimism (skepticism?), warning that live-plus-seven "is not the magic bullet that will make a struggling program into a success. They're not going to get a miracle."
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DVR Ratings: Grey's, CBS Each Claim Bragging Rights